Hope Foundation and partners hand over school toilets in Dong Van

The handover ceremony was held at Ma Le Ethnic Boarding Primary School with the participation of representatives of the Dong Van District Department of Education and Training, Hope Foundation, Probiotic brand Enterogermina - Sanofi Vietnam, FPT Long Chau, and more than 500 students and teachers.

Representatives of the parties cut the ribbon to inaugurate the school toilet project in Dong Van. Photo by Tung Dinh

Toilets in Ma Le are built with 12 stalls, divided into male and female sections with separate entrances, and fully equipped with latrines, hand wash basins, water supply and discharge systems, self-destruct systems, as well as education materials about hygiene and toilet usage rules.

This is one of 20 toilet constructions belonging to the School Hygiene Project implemented by Hope Foundation with sponsorship from Sanofi’s probiotic brand Enterogermina. The toilets were built from June to September, each of which normally consists of 4-12 stalls.

The project also received the support from FPT Long Chau and Vietnam Construction Consulting Corporation.

The total cost was more than VND3.3 billion, of which sponsors contribute VND2.67 billion, and the remaining is provided by the local authority.

Each toilet is built with separate male and female sections, ensuring enough light and ventilation. Photo by Tung Dinh

In addition to building new toilets that meet the standard of the Ministry of Education and Training, the project also focuses on educational activities to raise awareness about personal and school hygiene.

Besides, the project also provide filter tanks for domestic water supply at some schools in Dong Van, helping to reduce concerns about unsafe water sources. It is estimated that nearly 5,000 students and teachers in Dong Van will benefit from the School Hygiene project.

According to Hope Foundation, the project's standard construction, clean water systems, and hygiene practice documents will become a model for other localities to replicate. Starting from the school, the project wishes to change hygiene habits in the family and the community.

Coloring books that combine the dissemination of knowledge about hygiene and the protection of the digestive system are given to students in the project. Photo by Tung Dinh

"Access to better facilities will help increase children's awareness of hygiene and overall well-being. This also contribute to preventing diarrhea among students. We believe that students will not only improve their awareness of hygiene but also environmental protection through this project," said Kevin Doak, General Manager of Consumer Healthcare, Sanofi Vietnam.

Previously, a representative of the Department of Education and Training in Dong Van District said the quality of toilets was low. Schools in the district currently lack more than 100 toilets.

At some schools, the outbuildings are dilapidated or only temporarily built; there is no flushing system; lack of water; and no sections for male and female. This has seriously affected the quality of life and learning of teachers and students here.

"We accompany project team during the construction process and are committed to guiding beneficiary schools and maintaining the constructions’ high quality after they are put into operation," said Le Quang Hien, Deputy Head of the District Education and Training Department in Dong Van.

Students of Ma Le Elementary School for Ethnic Minorities use the new facilities. Photo by Tung Dinh

Vu Ngoc Anh, a representative from Hope Foundation, said that the foundation wished to continue accompanying Dong Van in upcoming projects such as building classrooms, boarding houses, and kitchens.

The School Hygiene project, part of the ‘Schools of Sunshine’ program, has the goal of eliminating degraded and unsafe toilets for children.

In 2022, the project was implemented in Van Ho District, Son La Province, and Muong Nhe District, Dien Bien Province, with funding from Sanofi Vietnam and FPT Group. 49 sanitary facilities were put into use, supporting 7,000 students and teachers there.

With the desire to create good study environment for highland children, Hope Foundation, with the companionship of the probiotic brand Enterogermina, has restarted the School Hygiene Project in Dong Van, Ha Giang.

The project aims to build 20 standard toilets, support clean water filtration systems at some schools, and teach good hygiene practices to students. To join hands with the project, click here.